4ti‘tudes? What kind of word derivative is that? Another clever cliché attempt? Perhaps yes! Years and years ago I was encouraged that, “Your altitude will be determined by your attitude.” Great wisdom! Hard to refute, and certainly has been a formative success formula in my life.

As life has taken on different seasons and chapters, I’d like to add some additional ‘tudes” to the linear equation.

Solitude>Gratitude>Attitude>Altitude. Hence, 4ti’tudes (corny maybe, memorable, yes!).

I don’t know about you but I’ve found I don’t have an attitude switch; something I can flip on and off. Sometimes I just wake up with a bad attitude. I wish there was a switch that I could flip and suddenly convert to Sammy Sunshine, but I have yet to find it.

Over the years, I’ve discovered that getting quiet, getting off the grid, and experiencing solitude has been a much bigger lever to impact my attitude. Furthermore, solitude creates space to put things in perspective, seek wisdom and guidance and allow another critical 4ti‘tude to ruminate in my soul. That dynamic ‘tude is of course gratitude, the ultimate source of joy.

More on these 4ti‘tudes to come.

Drew Hiss
Post by Drew Hiss
June 19, 2018
Drew Hiss launched his outsourced payroll and HR technology solutions company, Checkdate Solutions, in 1994. The entrepreneurial venture was a classic bootstrap start-up whose launch plan underestimated capital needs and ramp up time by significant multiples. The adventure predictably included scrapping for cash, overhauling the business model, rebranding, refocusing, redirecting resources, shifting tech platforms, praying, seeking counsel and wisdom, etc.. Not surprisingly, deep entrepreneurial scar tissue was forged. Ultimately Checkdate Solutions became one of Kansas City’s fastest growing companies and was named one of the Greater KC Chamber of Commerce Best Businesses not once, but twice. Additionally, Checkdate Solutions ranked as one of KC’s top 100 fastest growing companies for nine consecutive years and was in the top 25 nationally in its industry. Today’s workplace culture tends to compartmentalize personal virtues from commerce, creating silos and compartmentalization between business, family, community, values and faith. But as a CEO, Drew and his company grew when he “decompartmentalized:” on his journey, he learned to integrate his life of commerce and his life of family, faith and values. Drew merged Checkdate Solutions with payroll industry leader Paycor, stepping away from the company in 2008 and serving on its board for eight years. Drew remains an owner in the firm. Today, Drew’s heart to help business owners leverage the influence of their business platform for eternal impact is at the core of Acumen which he founded late in 2015. Acumen is a catalytic iron-sharpening-iron environment forged from the fiery furnace of entrepreneurial battle, marketplace survival and integration of the timeless wisdom of the ages. Drew and his wife, Sarah have been married for 32 years and have four children (plus two beautiful daughters in law) ranging in age from 28 to 22. In early 2020, Drew and Sarah relocated to Evergreen, CO, He is a raving-fan congregant of Flatirons Community Church in Lafayette, CO, and enjoys snowboarding, hunting, cycling, hiking, and a variety of outdoor activities and adventures including running with his two dogs.

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